1 facing felony identity theft charges in Wisconsin

Upon initiating a routine traffic stop, authorities may ask the driver of the vehicle to provide some form of identification. Attempting to provide a false name is never advisable and may only act to make police suspicious and lead them to investigate the matter further. A Wisconsin man has been arrested and is facing felony identity theft charges after a recent traffic stop during which he allegedly gave a fake name before stealing a police cruiser.

According to reports, law enforcement agents initiated a traffic stop after encountering a vehicle that was speeding. After approaching the driver and requesting he provide identification, they claim he said he didn’t have his licence and attempted to give them a fake name. During this period, a K-9 unit performed an open air search of the vehicle and allegedly indicated there were drugs inside, and the man was handcuffed and placed in the back of a police cruiser.

This prompted authorities to perform a search of the vehicle, and while they were conducting the search, they assert the man escaped from back seat of the cruiser and drove off in it. According to police, the cruiser was located several miles from the initial traffic stop, but the man was not at the scene. Authorities state they were able to locate the man just two days later, and he was placed under arrest and charged with felony identity theft and obstructing an officer.

Felony identify theft charges carry potentially severe consequences, and if convicted, the man could reportedly be facing as many as nine years behind bars. With the potential gravity of a similar situation, those accused of such crimes may face difficult decisions that could impact the outcome of the process. To gain a better understanding of what to expect and the best course of action to take, a person in Wisconsin could find it beneficial to consult with an experienced attorney for guidance and assistance.